Great ideas for church activities are found in many places — some through association newsletters and newspapers like The Alabama Baptist, others through word of mouth at meetings and conferences and a few through church members themselves.
The second annual 55-plus Vacation Bible School recently held at First Baptist Church Birmingham was a result of the latter. Retired couple Sonny and Joy Peery moved to Birmingham to be nearer to their children from their home in Meridian, Mississippi. There, they had attended First Baptist Church Meridian.
“They learned First Baptist (Meridian) was doing this (55-plus VBS), and they came to me and said, ‘Look at this. This looks like fun.’ They got materials from them and said, ‘Can we do this?’” said Jim Cooley, senior pastor of FBC Birmingham, of the Sept. 8–10 event.
Cooley loved the idea but added one condition — that the Peerys would be in charge.
They wholeheartedly agreed and ran with it. In fact, the event has revitalized the church’s senior adult ministry. It is called the 55-Plus Ministry, which easily defines this group.
The premise of the 55-plus VBS is to bring back the VBS that many in this age group experienced as children. Vacation Bible Schools are now more contemporary, and although changes may have been needed to reach today’s generation, elements of VBS programs from the 50s, 60s and 70s — like taking a missions offering — have been lost.
Fun reminders of childhood
The Peerys’ goal was to bring them back for those who would most appreciate them.
One of the traditions that was a priority to be included was how each day started — with the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag, the Bible and the Christian flag. Continuing the tradition of the old-time opening assemblies, a music time was included. But instead of rousing choruses of “This Little Light of Mine” and “Do Lord, Remember Me,” the 55-plus VBS attendees enjoyed singing classic hymns.
A large group Bible study led by Cooley followed.
Then another hit of nostalgia came — snack time with old-fashioned snacks. RC Cola, windmill cookies and those butter cookies with the hole in the middle that children used to stack on their fingers were fun reminders of childhood VBS. They snacked while reminiscing with other participants.
Recreation time followed, but instead of dodge ball and tag, there was no running or getting hit with a sphere-shaped missile.
Instead, one game had pool noodles cut into pieces, each with a book of the Bible written on it and a long rope. A throwback to the days of Bible drills, the teams worked quickly to arrange and place them in order.
Another beloved time for many was craft time. The smell of rubber cement or Elmer’s glue along with a plethora of Popsicle sticks, various colors of construction paper and yarn and a lot of imagination was mirrored by activities not quite as messy but still very meaningful.
One craft time involved making bookmarks. Craft sticks still came into play for those who wanted to transfer images to their creations. Tassels of various colors could be added.
Though not a part of VBS from their youth, these seasoned citizens finished the three-day adventure with a Southern Baptist staple — a delicious lunch that allowed even more fellowship time before the fun ended.
And just like VBS from years back, all ages helped make it possible.
Instead of the church’s minister of music leading the music, they invited a couple of retired ministers of music to lead. Two Beeson Divinity School students who work with the youth at FBC Birmingham led the recreation.
“One of the things that we love about our church is that it’s a genuine fellowship, kind of the way churches used to be. But what I love is our senior folks know our college kids by name,” Cooley said.
During a recent after-church activity on Labor Day weekend, the church provided grilled chicken, and church members brought sides and desserts.
“We probably had 20 of our college kids stay,” Cooley said. “I told our college minister, ‘What that means is, this is my church. I stay at my church and eat dinner when they have it.’”
For churches that want to incorporate this activity into their calendars, Sonny and Joy have some advice.
“We have a team that works on Bible school on and off during the year,” they said. “The internet and brainstorming help us come up with theme ideas. This year’s theme was ‘Give Me That Old-Time Religion,’ where we followed the same nostalgic-based concepts with a few time improvements to the schedule. The curriculum was based on Hebrews 11 and 12. We ended the week with dinner on the grounds.
“To make things go smoothly, we have a kitchen team, a craft team, a recreation leader, a director, a song leader and, of course, our Bible study leader.
“We found being organized was helpful. For example, following a daily schedule worked well. Just be ready to adjust it!” the Peerys said.
“We have loved being a part of First Baptist and the Bible school. Everyone seemed to enjoy it and has already asked about next year! It does take time, preparation and prayer — but it’s well worth it.”
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